07/22/2010

Contact: Kendra Barkoff, DOI (202) 208-6416

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Michael R. Bromwich testified today on the progress of reforms Interior is undertaking to strengthen management and oversight of energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

“The reorganization we are undertaking will help ensure strong and effective management and oversight of our nation’s offshore energy resources,” Secretary Salazar told the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. “We are moving forward quickly and responsibly with reforms that are needed.”

“The fundamental changes we are making do not come easily, but they are necessary,” Director Bromwich noted. “We are committed to delivering on reforms that are needed to ensure that America’s offshore energy resources are developed safely and responsibly.”

Salazar said the restructuring called for in his Secretarial Order is based on the premise that the missions within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement – including Outer Continental Shelf resource management, safety and environmental oversight and enforcement, and revenue collection – need to be clearly defined and distinct from each other. Bromwich said the reform efforts are crucial to ensuring that Interior carries out its responsibilities effectively and in a manner that facilitates the balanced, responsible, and sustainable development of the resources entrusted to the Department.